Graphic+novels

I am working on book orders, and would appreciate help in two areas:

1) Titles of Anime/Manga appropriate for middle school?

2) My students keep requesting that I replace the Goosebumps and Ghosts of Fear Street that have disappeared. When I checked Follett's Titlewise, Ghosts of Fear Street is out of print. There is a new series, Goosebumps Horrorland, that will be published next year, but there are only four titles.=20 My question is, does anyone have any suggestions of titles that will please these students?

TIA,

Responses:

When I was in an elementary school library, the students put me on to the = A-Z Mystery series. I think that would be a good substitute for Goosebumps= .



Our 6-8th graders love Stine also. I have recently tried a new=20 series---American Chillers and Michigan Chillers. The students have=20 responded well to them, so I will be ordering some more. Thought you = might=20 want to try a couple of those.



I've been building my graphic novel collection (a modest one) for about = three years at our 7/8 middle school. Feel free to look over the list = below, they have been scanned for more mature content, but it's always a = safe bet to re-check on your own. Also, in lieu of Goosebumps, try Cirque = du Freak. Once my kids try these, they never go back;=20

The case of Madeleine Smith : a true account of the respectable young = Glasgow lady brought to trial for the murder by poison of her secret = paramour    In =20 [ Book ] 364.152 GEA   Geary, Rick. =20 =20       Published 2006    =20 =20 =20  Missouri boy =20 [ Book ] 741 MYR   Myrick, Leland. =20 =20       Published 2006    =20 =20 =20  Naruto. Vol. 9, Turning the tables  =20 [ Book ] 741.5   Kishimoto, Masashi, 1974- =20 =20       Published 2006    =20 =20 =20  Orphen   =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Aki   Akita, Yoshinobu. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20

=20  Ara=F1a [Vol. 1] The heart of the spider      =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Ave   Avery, Fiona. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Ultimate Fantastic Four / [Vol. 1] The fantastic. =20  [ Book ] 741.5 Ben    Bendis, Brian Michael. =20 =20       Published 2004    =20 =20 =20  The Plain Janes   =20 [ Book ] 741.5 CAS   Castelluci, Cecil. =20 =20       Published 2007    =20 =20 =20  Essential X-Men. =20  [ Book ] 741.5 Cla    Claremont, Chris. =20 =20       Published 2004    =20 =20 =20  Queen bee   =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Clu   Clugston-Major, Chynna. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  The clouds above   =20 [ Book ] 741.5 CRA   Crane, Jordan, 1973- =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Akiko Volume two, issues 8-13, part two "The menace of Alia Rellapor"   = =20  [ Book ] 741.5 Cri    Crilley, Mark. =20 =20       Published 2002    =20 =20 =20  Spider-girl. [Vol. 2], Like father, like daughter =20 [ Book ] 741.5 DeF   DeFalco, Tom. =20 =20       Published 2004    =20 =20 =20  Spiderman : Teams up. =20  [ Book ] 741.5 Dez    Dezago, Todd. =20 =20

Flight. Volume two. =20  [ Book ] 741.5 FLI    =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Neon genesis evangelion : angelic days. Vol. 1  =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Hay   Hayashi, Fumino. =20 =20       Published 2006    =20

=20 =20  The adventures of Tintin. Volume 1  =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Her   Herg=E9, 1907- =20 =20       Published 1994    =20 =20 =20  Sakura taisen. Vol. 1  =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Hib   Hiroi, Ohji. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Babymouse : our hero! =20  [ Book ] 741.5 Hol    Holm, Jennifer L. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Sgt. Rock's combat tales. =20  [ Book ] 741.5 Kan    Kanigher, Robert. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Invincible / [1] Family matters. =20  [ Book ] 741.5 Kir    Kirkman, Robert. =20 =20       Published 2004    =20 =20 =20  Naruto : Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow   =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Kis   Masashi Kishimoto.=20 =20  The call of the wild : the graphic novel   =20 [ Book ] 741.5 KLE   Kleid, Neil. =20 =20       Published 2006    =20 =20 =20  Bleach / 1 Strawberry and the soul reapers. =20  [ Book ] 741.5 KUB    Kubo, Tite. =20 =20       Published 2004    =20

Essential the amazing Spider-Man. Vol. 2  =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Lee   Lee, Stan. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Spider-Man [Vol. 1]  =20   [ Book ] 741.5 Lee    Quantz, Daniel. =20 =20       Published 2004    =20 =20 =20  Zot : The Original. =20  [ Book ] 741.5 McC    McCloud, Scott, 1990. =20 =20       Published 1990    =20 =20 =20  Fantastic Four [Vol. 1] All for one  =20 [ Book ] 741.5 McK   McKeever, Sean. =20 =20       Published 2003    =20 =20 =20  Kanpai!. =20  [ Book ] 741.5 Mur    =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Kanpai! Volume one   =20 [ Book ] 741.5 MUR   Murakami, Maki. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Kanpai! Volume two   =20 [ Book ] 741.5 MUR   Murakami, Maki. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20

=20  Skip beat! 1    =20   [ Book ] 741.5 Nak    Nakamura, Yoshiki. =20 =20       Published 2006    =20 =20 =20  The Quitter    =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Pek   Pekar, Harvey, 2005. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Shonen Jump   =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Sho   Yu-Gi-Oh! =20 =20 =20  To dance : a memoir     In =20 [ Book ] 741.5 SIE   Siegel, Siena Cherson. =20 =20       Published 2006    =20 =20 =20  Bone / [1] Out from Boneville. Out =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Smi   Smith, Jeff, 1960- =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20    Bone [2] The great cow race     Out =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Smi   Smith, Jeff, 1960- =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20   Bone / [3] Eyes of the storm. Out =20 [ Book ] 741.5 SMI   Smith, Jeff, 1960 Feb. 27- =20 =20       Published 2006    =20 =20 =20  Bone / [4] The dragonslayer. Out =20 [ Book ] 741.5 SMI   Smith, Jeff, 1960 Feb. 27- =20 =20       Published 2006    =20 =20   Stuck in the middle : seventeen comics from an unpleasant age     Out = =20  [ Book ] 741.5 STU    edited by Ariel Schrag. =20 =20       Published 2007    =20 =20 =20  D.N. Angel Volume 8     Out =20 [ Book ] 741.5 SUG   Sugisaki, Yukiru. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Ranma 1/2 Vol. 28     In =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Tak   Takahashi, Rumiko, 1957- =20 =20       Published 2004    =20 =20 =20  Kare kano : his and her circumstances     In =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Tsu   Tsuda, Masami. =20 =20       Published 2003    =20 =20 =20  Kare Kano Volume ten : his and her circumstances     In =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Tsu   Tsuda, Masami. =20 =20       Published 2004    =20 =20 =20  Kare Kano Volume three : his and her circumstances     In =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Tsu   Tsuda, Masami. =20 =20       Published 2003    =20 =20 =20  Secret of the Swamp Thing. In =20 [ Book ] 741.5 Wei   Wein, Len & Wrightson, Berni. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20 =20  Someday's dreamers. Volume 1    Out =20 [ Book ] 741.5 YAM   Yamada, Norie. =20 =20       Published 2006    =20 =20 =20  American born Chinese     In =20 [ Book ] 741.5 YAN   Yang, Gene Luen. =20 =20       Published 2006    =20 =20  Maus : a survivor's tale     In =20 [ Book ] 940.53 SPI   Spiegelman, Art. =20 =20       Published 1986    =20 =20 =20  The 9/11 report : a graphic adaptation     Out =20 [ Book ] 973.931 JAC   Jacobson, Sid. =20 =20       Published 2006     =20 =20  The rivers of Zadaa : Book 6     Out =20 [ Book ] Fic Mac   MacHale, D. J. =20 =20       Published 2005    =20 =20  Historias de miedo 2 : relatos espeluznantes para no dejarte dormir : = recogidas del folclore norteamericano    In =20 [ Book ] FL ESP 398.2 Sch   Schwartz, Alvin, 1927- =20 =20       Published 2003 =20 =20

I think the "Goosebumps" kids might like the Westerfeld books: Uglies, = Pretties, Specials and Uglies. I went to Follett and did a collection = development search for the anime/manga books using dewey range 741.5 as = the only search criteria.=20



http://noflyingnotights.com/core.html=20

I've had a lot of luck with this site even though I buy for HS, they do = have a good MS core list.



These are the titles with over 10 circulations in the past year.=20

1) GN's/comic books Bone series by Jeff Smith DN Angel series by Dragon Ball Z series More starlight to your heart. Homicidal psycho jungle cat : a Calvin and Hobbes collection The Essential Calvin and Hobbs : A Calvin and hobbs Treasury Orphen series Garfield tips the scales Garfield makes it big Fruits basket series Spider-Man : doom with a view! Lights, camera, hairballs! : Garfield at the movies Desert coral. series The candidate for goddess series JLA : secret origins Your favorite Seuss : A baker's dozen by the one and only Dr. Seuss A little help from my friends

2) RL Stine: The Blob that ate everyone cuckoo clock of doom Night of the living dummy I, II, and III The curse of Camp Cold Lake Be careful what you wish for Attack of the jack-o'-lanterns Vampire breath How to kill a monster How I learned to fly deep trouble I and II Welcome To Dead House Revenge of the shadow people Piano lessons can be murder Phantom of the auditorium The headless ghost Say cheese and die (and again) The horror at Camp Jellyjam Ghost Beach The werewolf of Fever Swamp

Fear Street: The surprise party The sleepwalker Nightmare in 3-D Final grade Who's been sleeping in my grave? Silent night I, II, and III



Do you have a used book store in your area? We go to ours when we find = books that are out of print that we want to replace. We usually have = pretty good luck there!

Nina, our kids love the Naruto series. They are never on the shelf and are = rated age-appropriate. This is from Follett:

Naruto [set/series] (#S930XXX) Paperback Set/Series Complete set of 29 Titles: $167.42

Titles in Set/Series: 29 Titles

Classifications Within Set:=20 Nonfiction Interest Level: YA Subjects:=20 Graphic Novels =20

Notes: Uzumaki Naruto is striving to become the stealthiest ninja in the = world, but unknown to him, a terrifying force is hidden within him.=20



My students love the following anime series: Fruits Basket, Naruto, Shaman King, and D.K. Angel.



The way I decide what's appropriate is to actually go to a book store such = as Borders, and then look for the age level on the book covers. This is a = sampling of the various series I have purchased for our middle school:

Amano. Kingdom Hearts. Azuma. Yotsuba. Hiiragi. Baron the Cat. Hotta. Hikaru No Go.=20 Sakura. Dragon Drive. Sanjo. Beet, the Vandal Buster.=20

They all fly off the shelves.=20

almost missed Dragon Ball by Toriyama



I have a suggestion that fits both your requests -- Scholastic is = re-issuing Goosebumps books in Graphic novel format. They package three stories at a time, illustrated by 3 different artists. The latest, Scary Summer has = these books in it: Revenge of the lawn gnomes / adapted and illustrated by Dean Haspiel -- Ghost beach / adapted and illustrated by Ted Naifeh -- The = horror at camp jellyjam / adapted and illustrated by Kyle Baker. =20

There is also Terror Trips and one other that was the first one. I don't know the name. The series is called Goosebumps Graphix. I hope this helps. Goosebumps and Fear Street are still popular at my school, too, even = though they are falling apart.=20 =20

Shonen Manga (boy-oriented): Rave Master, Kingdom Hearts Shojo Manga (girl-oriented): Tokyo Mew Mew, Minx

For readers of Goosebumps, try the Cirque Du Freak series by Darren Shan



Titlewave has a Manga list that allows you to indicate grade level. But I = still would like to see yours.



The list below is for manga and graphic novels that would be appropriate = for middle school. I have also included age ratings as provided by the = publishers. This age rating is a good general guide, but keep in mind that = most publishers have developed their own standards. One company=92s = =93teen=94 rating may contain next to nothing inappropriate, while another = may have something in the same category that will raise your eyebrows. = You should also note that not every volume in a series will necessarily = carry the same rating. It is possible for one or more volumes in a series = to rate higher or lower depending on the individual title=92s content. = This normally doesn=92t impact the graphic novels in the =93all age=94 or = youth range, but it=92s something to be aware of.=20

Please note that I have tried to find series over the years that have high = interest/high quality and are relatively short. Most of us don't have the = space to keep very many 20+ volumes series! There are a number of series = that go long, but these tend to be very popular, so I am willing to make = the space for them. =20

If you need more titles or more info on specific manga titles that come = your way, just send me an e-mail. Because anime and manga are two of my = hobbies, I have a pretty good background in the field and can usually tell = you if something is appropriate for school.=20 =20

Japanese Manga

Aria by Kozue Amano (Rated All Ages)

- Light fantasy/sci-fi about a girl who visits a Venice-like city on = another planet. - Short series. Only three volumes long.=20

Beyblade by Takao Aoki (Rated All Ages)

- Action oriented manga featuring a young boy who competes in =93Beyblade= =94 tournaments. Based on a popular toy/game in Japan and the United = States. This is a pretty safe manga, but it is based on a product that = might limit its appeal. - Fourteen volumes out.

Zodiac P.I. by Natsumi Ando (Rated Youth 7+) =20 - A teenage girl with astrological powers who solves crimes and finds = romance. - Short series. Concludes in only four volumes. =20

Cardcaptor Sakura by CLAMP (Rated All Ages)

- Light fantasy story of a young girl who becomes endowed with the power = of the =93Clow.=94 Protagonist must battle against magical creatures in = current day Japan and still keep her grades up. Extremely popular in = Japan and the United States.=20 - Six volumes out now.=20

Instant Teen: Just add Nuts by Haruka Fukushima (Rated Youth 10+)

- The story of a 5th grader that discovers magical nuts that can temporaril= y transform her into a teen. Fairly tame situations and set ups. Funny! - Short series. Four volumes long.

Yotsuba&! by Azuma Kiyohiko (Rated All Ages)=20

- Simple but charming series of short vignettes of the life of a little = girl, her family and their friends and neighbors. Funny!=20 - Five volumes out with more to come.

Prince of Tennis by Takeshi Konomi (Rated All Ages)

- Sports manga. Young teenage boy's trials and travails as he seeks to be = the "Prince of Tennis." - Continuing manga. 21 volumes out with more to come. =20

Kodocha: Sana=92s Stage by Miho Obana (Rated Youth 7+)=20

- A young girl=92s life and adventures in middle school. - Ten volumes long. This title is out of print, but copies can still be = found at places like Powell=92s.

Ghost Hunt by Fuyumi Ono (Rated Teen 13+)

- High school girl becomes a part of a paranormal investigation team. = Ghost busting and scary tales. Teen rating seems to come from a few = particularly scary images in some volumes.=20 - Nine volumes out with more to come.

D.N. Angel by Yukiru Sugisaki (Rated Teen 13+)=20

- A young boy inherits the role of the "master thief" of his family, = whether he wants to or not. Romance and action. More appropriate for 8th = grade than 6th grade. - Continuing series. 11 volumes out now.=20

Someday's Dreamers by Norie Yamada (Rated Teen 13+)

- Sweet, simple tale of a young teenage girl who tries to use magic to = help others. Rated teen, but could work for Gr 6-8 without any real = problems. - Short series. Only two volumes long. Sequel series (Someday=92s = Dreamers: Spellbound) out now.

Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: by Hajime Yatate (Rated Teen 13+)

- One of many Gundam manga series. Involves epic sci-fi war/robots/Japanese= teen angst. Teen rating seem to come from the combat sequences. There is = nothing terribly graphic, but people do get wounded and die. - Short series. Ends in five volumes

Ultra Maniac by Wataru Yoshizumi (Rated All Ages)

- Romance story involving a young teen witch who transfers to a = =93normal=94 Japanese high school. A funny light romance. - Short series. Five volumes long

American Graphic Novels

"The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers" series by Scott Lobdell

- Various titles available in this updating of the Hardy Boys franchise to = graphic novel form. - All new stories with lots of modern references.=20 - Very simplistic, good for your very low level readers.

Star Wars: Episode 1 by George Lucas and Kia Asamiya

- Graphic novel retelling of the first Star Wars movie. Art by manga = artist Kia Asamiya.=20 - Two volumes out.

"Nancy Drew: Girl Detective" series by Stefan Petrucha

- Various titles available in this updating of the Nancy Drew franchise to = graphic novel form. - All new stories with lots of modern references.=20 - Very simplistic, good for your very low level readers.

Bone by Jeff Smith

- Fantasy/action/humor - originally intended for adult readers, it = doesn=92t really contain anything that would be inappropriate for = school.=20 - Currently being reprinted by Scholastic.=20 - Scholastic has a guide to using graphic novels in the classroom based on = this series - Five volumes out now with more to be reprinted =20

Non Fiction - Anime/Manga research materials

The Anime Companion: What's Japanese in Japanese Animation? by Gilles = Poitras

- An encyclopedia to common themes, actions, vocabulary and cliches found = in anime and manga.=20

The Anime Companion 2 by Gilles Poitras

- Additional themes not found in the first volume. Not really necessary = but nice to have. =20 Anime Essentials: Everything a Fan Needs to Know by Gilles Poitras

- A simple introduction to anime and manga. Also includes tips for = starting clubs and other social activities.=20 =20

If you are wondering if it makes any difference in circulation if = the main protagonists are male or female, I can tell you that it does not. = At least it doesn=92t make any difference in high school. From my = experience, the guys and girls who are interested in manga/graphic novels = will read nearly anything so long as the quality is high.=20

=20

Here are my recommendations and comments regarding your kid requests:

Naruto: Rated Teen - 28 volumes

I have Naruto in my high school Library, but it might be too = intense for middle school. There is a fair amount of ninja blood and gore. = It might work for 8th grade, but it would be iffy for lower grades. I = guess a lot depends on how conservative your parent base is. It is a very = popular title, but it is also a very long series. This was a student = requested title and I had originally intended to only get the first five = or so, but I wound up getting more due to demand. That is always a problem = with longer series. You might think that you will only get the first few = of a series, but the kids pester you day and night to get more volumes!=20

Bleach: Rated Teen - 22 volumes

A very popular title at my school, but it suffers from the same = problem as Naruto. There is a fair amount of graphic violence. Again, I = wouldn't recommend this for younger kids.

One Piece: Rated Teen - 17 volumes

One Piece also contains a lot of fighting, but it's more comical = in nature. One Piece focuses on a group of wacky pirates that find = themselves in various quests and adventures. It will probably work for = middle school.=20

Dragon Ball Z: Rated All Ages - 26 volumes

Dragonball Z will work for middle school. Dragonball is all about = over the top martial arts contests, but without any real blood and gore. = The only problem is that it is a very long series.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Rated Teen - 15 volumes=20

I wouldn't recommend Fullmetal for middle school. It's very = popular, but also pretty gory at times. I have it at my school, but I = wouldn't recommend it for any middle schooler. Personally, I think it = should carry an Older Teen rating.=20

Inuyasha: Rated Older Teen - 32 volumes

Inuyasha is an extremely popular anime and manga series, but it = does have a fair amount of graphic violence and a little nudity depending = on the volume. It is also impossibly long! I have had kids request it = here, but I rejected it due to the length of the series.=20

Your kids have definitely requested some of the most popular manga = titles out there! Unfortunately, popular usually means long as well. Many = of these series have not even ended their runs yet, so the number of = volumes will only increase. Each of these series also have a cartoon/anime = counterpart that have appeared on various cable networks. Normally, these = anime are edited to some extent to make them acceptable for American TV. = The manga are NOT edited, so you really need to eyeball these requests = fairly thoroughly since what a kid sees on TV may not be reflective of = what they will be exposed to in its original manga counterpart.=20

I would say that it probably will make little difference if you = have to say no to some of these requests. Most kids seem to understand = when you say no, particularly when you point out that a series is well = over a dozen volumes. I have also found that the titles that I gave you = are often just as popular as the Fullmetal Alchemists ...etc... The kids = may not immediately recognize a series if it doesn't have an American TV = counterpart, but they will still pick them up and rapidly discover their = quality and read them voraciously. Manga are definitely the most popular = item at my school, with usage four times that of anything else we have. = Just be prepared to never have any on the shelves, because they will = always be checked out!